Useful gadgets

[Barman]

Cork screws.  Had loads of them and half of them have either broken or they're too stiff to work properly.  Have tried the ones with the pull down wings and inevitably the cork gets stuck up the barrel never to be retrieved again, except with saintly patience and a pair of long-nosed pliers.  Even tried that device with the compressed air widget and managed to coat everything in view a pale burgundy colour.

I've always wanted a really fine device like the sommeliers use and have eventually found one in an Italian market @ 2 Euros! Brilliantly simple and effective; a short, sharp blade for the foil, an easily deployable screw for inserting and a perfectly formed arm that rests against the lip of the bottle enabling perfect extraction every time ! Bliss.

Ah? life is complete when you have a good corkscrew. 

[Snoopy]

Cork screws.  Had loads of them and half of them have either broken or they're too stiff to work properly.  Have tried the ones with the pull down wings and inevitably the cork gets stuck up the barrel never to be retrieved again, except with saintly patience and a pair of long-nosed pliers.  Even tried that device with the compressed air widget and managed to coat everything in view a pale burgundy colour.

I've always wanted a really fine device like the sommeliers use and have eventually found one in an Italian market @ 2 Euros! Brilliantly simple and effective; a short, sharp blade for the foil, an easily deployable screw for inserting and a perfectly formed arm that rests against the lip of the bottle enabling perfect extraction every time ! Bliss.

Since we are all being Nerdy the type you describe is known as a "Waiter's Friend"

and I don't mean Peter Mandleson.

[Bar Wench]

I never use anything other than a "waiter's friend" all the others are a complete waste of sodding time. Strange thing is the only people I know that prefer them and can actually use them have all done bar work or waiter/essing. It's seems to be a trade secret!

[Uncle Mort]

I also thought that a real 'waiter's friend' was the two prong type without a corksrew. So named because it didn't damage the cork upon removal which meant the cork could be put back.

[Pastis]

I also thought that a real 'waiter's friend' was the two prong type without a corksrew. So named because it didn't damage the cork upon removal which meant the cork could be put back.

I've heard that one referred to as a 'Butler's Friend' Uncle, for the reasons you site and additionally that the bottle could topped up

The one I bought was this:

Looks a bit manky in the photo but works a treat.

This one:

is likely to cause damage; tight as a gnat's chuff!

[Uncle Mort]

I also thought that a real 'waiter's friend' was the two prong type without a corksrew. So named because it didn't damage the cork upon removal which meant the cork could be put back.

I've heard that one referred to as a 'Butler's Friend' Uncle, for the reasons you site and additionally that the bottle could topped up

You're right, I'm getting mixed up. 

[Pastis]

You're right, I'm getting mixed up. 

Happy to oblige Uncle; the consequences of confusing the Butler with the Waiter are dire, alledgedly